AB1348 PERICARDITIS AFTER COVID-19 VACCINATION: A CASE SERIES
Authors: F. Casarin, C. Carollo, R. Mascolo, A. Pedroli, G. Faraci, E. Bizzi, M. Pancrazi, L. Trotta, C. Lorentino, A. M. Pisacreta, A. Brucato
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> COVID-19 vaccination campaigns successfully impacted on viral spreading and in particular on clinical course of the disease. However, secondary to a highly extended vaccination program, several local and systemic adverse events associated with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have been reported. Pericarditis and myocarditis are examples of cardiac complications related to these vaccines. In particular, cases of pericarditis have occurred after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination (mostly secondary to vaccination with Moderna than Pfizer-BioNTech), especially in male adolescents and young adults, more often after the second dose. The incidence is approximately of 1-2 cases/100.000. <h3>Objectives</h3> Aim of our study was to study the clinical profile of pericarditis occurred within 30 days after COVID-19 vaccines in our clinic. <h3>Methods</h3> We present a case series of patients who developed pericarditis after COVID-19 vaccination in the Department of Internal Medicine at Fatebenefratelli Hospital in Milan, followed from December 1, 2021 to April 15, 2022. <h3>Results</h3> Twenty-five individuals, of which 18 (72%) were women and 7 (28%) were males, had vaccine related pericarditis. Two patients were vaccinated with AstraZeneca, 2 with Moderna, the remaining with Pfizer-BioNTech. Median age was of 42 years. Of all patients, one subject was affected by constrictive effusive pericarditis, while another required treatment of pericarditis with Anakinra, switched to Canakinumab after severe skin reactions, because of failure of therapeutic response to first-line treatments. Two patients required hospital admission, in one case for a transient constrictive pericarditis. In the remaining cases clinical symptoms associated with post-vaccines pericarditis were mild and didn't require hospitalization. Chest pain was reported in 100% of cases, whereas pericardial effusion (in one case larger than 10 mm) was evidenced in 30% of subjects. Eighty percent of patients experienced tachycardia, whereas 90% reported asthenia. An increase in indices of inflammation (CRP) was documented in 50% of patients, usually mild. With regard to therapy, 90% of patients were treated with NSAIDs, 95% with colchicine, while 50% of cases required treatment with low-dose steroids. <h3>Conclusion</h3> COVID-19 vaccination induces a particular form of pericarditis, often insidious and very troublesome, but with good prognosis. The clinical phenotype showed less typical chest pain, often normal indices of inflammation and little or no instrumental changes, but patients often experimented tachycardia and functional limitation. With regard to therapy, we used NSAIDs at adequate dosages to control the clinical condition, or low-dose colchicine. Low doses of cortisone (e.g., prednisone 5-10 mg a day) were useful in the presence of marked asthenia or systemic symptoms. Beta-blockers or ivabradine were used in the presence of tachycardia. <h3>References</h3> [1]Barda N, Children 2021, 8(7), 607; Safety of the BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 in a Nationwide setting. N Engl J med 2021; 385:1078-1090. [2]Diaz GA, Myocarditis and Pericarditis After Vaccination for COVID-19. JAMA 2021; 326 (12): 1210-1212. [3]Bibhuti D, Myocarditis and Pericarditis Following mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination: What Do We Know So Far?. Children 2021, 8(7), 607. [4]Giacomo Maria Viani, Patrizia Pedrotti, Romano Seregni, and Brucato Antonio; Effusive–constrictive pericarditis after the second dose of BNT162b2 vaccine (Comirnaty): a case report; European Heart Journal - Case Reports (2022) 6(2), 1–6. [5]Francesco Perna, Elena Verecchia, Gaetano Pinnacchio, Laura Gerardino, Antonio Brucato, and Raffaele Manna; Rapid resolution of severe pericardial effusion using anakinra in a patient with COVID-19 vaccine-related acute pericarditis relapse:a case report; European Heart Journal - Case Reports (2022) 6, 1–6. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> NIL. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> None Declared.